Quins take care to instrument victory

Harlequins 42 Ulster 21

By Rupert Bates

9:18PM BST 18 Oct 2008

This was cracking entertainment studded by nine tries and ferocious commitment in a Heineken Cup tie that, following on from their away win at the Scarlets last weekend, confirms Harlequins as the coming force in English rugby.

This was no carefree frolic, with adventure tempered by great close-quarter graft and aggression from both sides. Actually it was Care-full. Danny Care may only be the second most famous Danny in England colours, but the scrum-half’s rich vein of form continued.

The outstanding Harlequins back-row of Chris Robshaw, captain Will Skinner and Nick Easter ruled the breakdown, ran with power and pace and even took most of the line-out ball.

Ulster made the perfect start. After flanker David Pollock was hauled down by Tom Williams, the ball was spun right and Fiji wing Timoci Nagusa crossed for the opening try to reward the terrific Ulster support.

They had nothing else to cheer in the first half. A quick tap penalty by Care and centre Jordan Turner-Hall burst through lame Irish tackling. Ulster flanker Matt McCullough was sent to the sin-bin and Quins took ruthless advantage with scores from wing Williams, after a lovely delayed pass by Care and then the scrum-half himself, again off the tail of a line-out.

Quins were awarded a controversial bonus-point try just before the break. Centre Ugo Monye was blocked by opposite number Darren Cave as he chased his kick ahead and referee Tim Hayes gave a penalty try, despite a try being far from a probability.

A clever grubber kick from the impressive Williams was brilliantly gathered and touched down by full-back Mike Brown just after half-time for the home side’s fifth score.

The tide briefly turned when Care went to the bin for preventing release and Ireland centre Paddy Wallace scored Ulster’s second try and fellow Ireland international Andrew Trimble added a third.

Suddenly, especially given Quins tendency only to perform for 40 minutes this season, the Irish province were on the verge of as sensational comeback. Richards would have been roused into one snarling bear had that happened. But a Brown run took the full-back deep into Ulster territory and a lovely cross kick by Chris Malone was gathered by Williams for his second try.